POPLAR RIDGE - Twilight settled quickly as the night sky took over the dome-shaped ceiling. Leaning back in comfortable reclining chairs, more than a dozen people stared at the ceiling, mesmerized by the number of stars that began to appear.
Gathered in the Southern Cayuga School District planetarium, and with the assistance of head astronomer John Rusho, stargazers traveled light years through space, observed first-hand a 300-year-old storm, and imagined a black hole in the universe.
"Tonight, Saturn and Jupiter are the main attractions," Rusho said, as he pointed out the planets located overhead. A long-time amateur astronomer and telescope maker, Rusho also teaches astronomy and physics part-time at Onondaga Community College.
When the presentation ended, everyone went outside to the roll-off-roof observatory located behind the Southern Cayuga Central School's athletic fields. With no streetlights to interfere, Orion's belt, the Little Dipper and Cassiopeia were visible to the naked eye.
After amateur astronomers Allan Ominsky and Rob West got the 14-inch Meade Schmidt Cassegrain computerized telescopes set in place, 8-year-old Taylor Reilley stepped up to look at Saturn. This is only the second time Taylor has come to visit Southern Cayuga's facilities, but he acted like a veteran stargazer.
"You can look into the telescope and see Saturn and all of its rings," Taylor said. "You can also see swirls and dots that are the planet's moons. It is amazing."
It is Southern Cayuga's goal to become a regional center of excellence in astronomy education. To help reach this goal, they are trying to update the 38-year-old planetarium. Opening up the 30-foot dome once a month for public use is just one of the many ways the district is trying to raise awareness about this underused local resource.
With the help of Rusho, Southern Cayuga was able to secure NASA Education And Public Outreach funding through Cornell University. The $43,000 grant is to be spread out over three years. District officials are hoping they will soon be able to offer teacher workshops with prominent keynote speakers, as well as new and enhanced classes, and new planetarium programs.
"When this planetarium was built in 1967 it was used all the time," Rusho said. "We are trying to build it back up to what it used to be."
The observatory was completed in 2004, thanks to a New York state legislative grant. Though it is used frequently by students and local residents, it is still under development as the district looks to obtain funds for fiber optic hookups and more advanced telescopes.
The district currently rents the facilities to the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, which uses it once a week. Local Cub Scouts and other school districts have also been using the planetarium to help enhance children's learning experiences. Southern Cayuga students have begun using the planetarium more frequently as part of an astronomy class being offered by Cayuga Community College.
Though she is interested in studying music, 17-year-old Megan Smith has picked up astronomy as a hobby. Smith is one of several students taking the new course, and she has also volunteers during public sessions.
"It is a classroom outside of a classroom," Smith said. "We don't just talk about astronomy now we actually have a way to see it. This is a great resource for the community, not just the school."
Rusho is also trying to spread the word with a newsletter that he sends out to Cayuga County residents, as well as those in surrounding counties.
"This is something the kids can really enjoy," Taylor's mother, Kristeen, said. "This is something to help open up their minds. The more children are exposed to things like this, the more they will learn."
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or ashley.lipsky@lee.net.
"Tonight, Saturn and Jupiter are the main attractions," Rusho said, as he pointed out the planets located overhead. A long-time amateur astronomer and telescope maker, Rusho also teaches astronomy and physics part-time at Onondaga Community College.
When the presentation ended, everyone went outside to the roll-off-roof observatory located behind the Southern Cayuga Central School's athletic fields. With no streetlights to interfere, Orion's belt, the Little Dipper and Cassiopeia were visible to the naked eye.
After amateur astronomers Allan Ominsky and Rob West got the 14-inch Meade Schmidt Cassegrain computerized telescopes set in place, 8-year-old Taylor Reilley stepped up to look at Saturn. This is only the second time Taylor has come to visit Southern Cayuga's facilities, but he acted like a veteran stargazer.
"You can look into the telescope and see Saturn and all of its rings," Taylor said. "You can also see swirls and dots that are the planet's moons. It is amazing."
It is Southern Cayuga's goal to become a regional center of excellence in astronomy education. To help reach this goal, they are trying to update the 38-year-old planetarium. Opening up the 30-foot dome once a month for public use is just one of the many ways the district is trying to raise awareness about this underused local resource.
With the help of Rusho, Southern Cayuga was able to secure NASA Education And Public Outreach funding through Cornell University. The $43,000 grant is to be spread out over three years. District officials are hoping they will soon be able to offer teacher workshops with prominent keynote speakers, as well as new and enhanced classes, and new planetarium programs.
"When this planetarium was built in 1967 it was used all the time," Rusho said. "We are trying to build it back up to what it used to be."
The observatory was completed in 2004, thanks to a New York state legislative grant. Though it is used frequently by students and local residents, it is still under development as the district looks to obtain funds for fiber optic hookups and more advanced telescopes.
The district currently rents the facilities to the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, which uses it once a week. Local Cub Scouts and other school districts have also been using the planetarium to help enhance children's learning experiences. Southern Cayuga students have begun using the planetarium more frequently as part of an astronomy class being offered by Cayuga Community College.
Though she is interested in studying music, 17-year-old Megan Smith has picked up astronomy as a hobby. Smith is one of several students taking the new course, and she has also volunteers during public sessions.
"It is a classroom outside of a classroom," Smith said. "We don't just talk about astronomy now we actually have a way to see it. This is a great resource for the community, not just the school."
Rusho is also trying to spread the word with a newsletter that he sends out to Cayuga County residents, as well as those in surrounding counties.
"This is something the kids can really enjoy," Taylor's mother, Kristeen, said. "This is something to help open up their minds. The more children are exposed to things like this, the more they will learn."
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or ashley.lipsky@lee.net.
